System and method for full duplex cancellation

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for enabling improved cancellation of self-interference in full-duplex communications, or the transmitting and receiving of communications in a single frequency band without requiring time, frequency, or code divisions. The system estimates the signal strength and phase of a self-interference signal, generates a cancellation signal based on this estimate, then uses the cancellation signal to suppress the self-interference before sampling received analog signal. After applying the cancellation signal, the system samples and digitizes the remaining analog signal. The digitized signal is then subjected to additional digital cancellation, allowing for extraction of the desired signal.

PRIORITY INFORMATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/881,613, filed Oct. 13, 2015, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/492,588, filed Sep. 22, 2014, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,166,766, issued Oct. 20, 2015, which is a continuationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/549,189, filed Jul. 13, 2012, nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,842,584, issued Sep. 23, 2014, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to full duplex communications and morespecifically to cancelling transmission interference in full duplexcommunications.

2. Introduction

Currently deployed wireless communications systems cannot transmit andreceive on the same frequency at the same time, i.e., networks do notoperate in a full-duplex fashion. As a result, networks are eithertime-division duplex (e.g., WiFi) or frequency-division duplex (e.g.,cellular). The challenge in achieving true full-duplex communication isa large power differential between the “self-interference” created by anode's own radio transmission and the signal of interest. This largepower differential exists because the self-interference signal has totravel much shorter distances compared to the signal of interest. Thelarge power differential swamps the signal of interest due to finiteresolution of analog-to-digital conversion.

Previous efforts to suppress self-interference have reported success foronly very short range line-of-sight (LOS) channels, none more than 8meters, like those encountered in personal area networks such asBluetooth and Zigbee. Such small range abilities continue to remain thebottleneck for including full-duplex in practical wireless networks. Byovercoming the limitations associated with previous solution,full-duplex communications can extend communication range whileincreasing bandwidth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a moreparticular description of the principles briefly described above will berendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and are nottherefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the principlesherein are described and explained with additional specificity anddetail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system embodiment;

FIG. 2a illustrates an example of half-duplex communications;

FIG. 2b illustrates an example of full-duplex communications

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of full-duplex communication power levels;

FIG. 4 illustrates a high-level example of a full-duplex embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example a full-duplex device embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a first method embodiment; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a second method embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below.While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understoodthat this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled inthe relevant art will recognize that other components and configurationsmay be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

The present disclosure addresses the need in the art for full duplexcancellation of self-interference. A system, method and non-transitorycomputer-readable media are disclosed which suppress self-interferencein full duplex communications

Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readablestorage media for enabling improved cancellation of self-interference infull-duplex communications. In particular, a system configured accordingto this disclosure can transmit and receive communications in a singlefrequency band without requiring time, frequency, or code divisions. Inanother aspect, the principles disclosed herein can be utilized inconnection with one or more of time division, frequency division and/orcode division. A system estimates the signal strength and phase of aself-interference signal, generates a cancellation signal based on theestimate, and uses the cancellation signal to suppress theself-interference before sampling a received analog signal. Thissuppression matches the cancellation signal to the self-interferencesignal by both phase and frequency. After applying the cancellationsignal, the system samples and digitizes the remaining analog signal.The digitized signal is then subjected to additional digitalcancellation, allowing for extraction of the desired signal. Furtherembodiments of this general concept and related details shall beprovided herein.

A brief introductory description of a basic general purpose system orcomputing device in FIG. 1 which can be employed to practice theconcepts is disclosed herein. A more detailed description of cancellingself-interference in full duplex communications then follows. Thedisclosure now turns to FIG. 1.

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary system 100 includes ageneral-purpose computing device 100, including a processing unit (CPUor processor) 120 and a system bus 110 that couples various systemcomponents including the system memory 130 such as read only memory(ROM) 140 and random access memory (RAM) 150 to the processor 120. Thesystem 100 can include a cache 122 of high speed memory connecteddirectly with, in close proximity to, or integrated as part of theprocessor 120. The system 100 copies data from the memory 130 and/or thestorage device 160 to the cache 122 for quick access by the processor120. In this way, the cache provides a performance boost that avoidsprocessor 120 delays while waiting for data. These and other modules cancontrol or be configured to control the processor 120 to perform variousactions. Other system memory 130 may be available for use as well. Thememory 130 can include multiple different types of memory with differentperformance characteristics. It can be appreciated that the disclosuremay operate on a computing device 100 with more than one processor 120or on a group or cluster of computing devices networked together toprovide greater processing capability. The processor 120 can include anygeneral purpose processor and a hardware module or software module, suchas module 1 162, module 2 164, and module 3 166 stored in storage device160, configured to control the processor 120 as well as aspecial-purpose processor where software instructions are incorporatedinto the actual processor design. The processor 120 may essentially be acompletely self-contained computing system, containing multiple cores orprocessors, a bus, memory controller, cache, etc. A multi-core processormay be symmetric or asymmetric.

The system bus 110 may be any of several types of bus structuresincluding a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and alocal bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. A basicinput/output (BIOS) stored in ROM 140 or the like, may provide the basicroutine that helps to transfer information between elements within thecomputing device 100, such as during start-up. The computing device 100further includes storage devices 160 such as a hard disk drive, amagnetic disk drive, an optical disk drive, tape drive or the like. Thestorage device 160 can include software modules 162, 164, 166 forcontrolling the processor 120. Other hardware or software modules arecontemplated. The storage device 160 is connected to the system bus 110by a drive interface. The drives and the associated computer readablestorage media provide nonvolatile storage of computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules and other data for thecomputing device 100. In one aspect, a hardware module that performs aparticular function includes the software component stored in anon-transitory computer-readable medium in connection with the necessaryhardware components, such as the processor 120, bus 110, display 170,and so forth, to carry out the function. The basic components are knownto those of skill in the art and appropriate variations are contemplateddepending on the type of device, such as whether the device 100 is asmall, handheld computing device, a desktop computer, or a computerserver.

Although the exemplary embodiment described herein employs the hard disk160, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that othertypes of computer readable media which can store data that areaccessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memorycards, digital versatile disks, cartridges, random access memories(RAMs) 150, read only memory (ROM) 140, a cable or wireless signalcontaining a bit stream and the like, may also be used in the exemplaryoperating environment. Non-transitory computer-readable storage mediaexpressly exclude media such as energy, carrier signals, electromagneticwaves, and signals per se.

To enable user interaction with the computing device 100, an inputdevice 190 represents any number of input mechanisms, such as amicrophone for speech, a touch-sensitive screen for gesture or graphicalinput, keyboard, mouse, motion input, speech and so forth. An outputdevice 170 can also be one or more of a number of output mechanismsknown to those of skill in the art. In some instances, multimodalsystems enable a user to provide multiple types of input to communicatewith the computing device 100. The communications interface 180generally governs and manages the user input and system output. There isno restriction on operating on any particular hardware arrangement andtherefore the basic features here may easily be substituted for improvedhardware or firmware arrangements as they are developed.

For clarity of explanation, the illustrative system embodiment ispresented as including individual functional blocks including functionalblocks labeled as a “processor” or processor 120. The functions theseblocks represent may be provided through the use of either shared ordedicated hardware, including, but not limited to, hardware capable ofexecuting software and hardware, such as a processor 120, that ispurpose-built to operate as an equivalent to software executing on ageneral purpose processor. For example the functions of one or moreprocessors presented in FIG. 1 may be provided by a single sharedprocessor or multiple processors. (Use of the term “processor” shouldnot be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executingsoftware.) Illustrative embodiments may include microprocessor and/ordigital signal processor (DSP) hardware, read-only memory (ROM) 140 forstoring software performing the operations discussed below, and randomaccess memory (RAM) 150 for storing results. Very large scaleintegration (VLSI) hardware embodiments, as well as custom VLSIcircuitry in combination with a general purpose DSP circuit, may also beprovided.

The logical operations of the various embodiments are implemented as:(1) a sequence of computer implemented steps, operations, or proceduresrunning on a programmable circuit within a general use computer, (2) asequence of computer implemented steps, operations, or proceduresrunning on a specific-use programmable circuit; and/or (3)interconnected machine modules or program engines within theprogrammable circuits. The system 100 shown in FIG. 1 can practice allor part of the recited methods, can be a part of the recited systems,and/or can operate according to instructions in the recitednon-transitory computer-readable storage media. Such logical operationscan be implemented as modules configured to control the processor 120 toperform particular functions according to the programming of the module.For example, FIG. 1 illustrates three modules Mod1 162, Mod2 164 andMod3 166 which are modules configured to control the processor 120.These modules may be stored on the storage device 160 and loaded intoRAM 150 or memory 130 at runtime or may be stored as would be known inthe art in other computer-readable memory locations.

Having disclosed some components of a computing system, the disclosurenow turns to FIG. 2A, which illustrates half-duplex communications. Aduplex communication system is a system capable of communicating in bothdirections. A half-duplex communication system is capable ofcommunicating in a single frequency spectrum in both directions, but inonly one direction at a time, not simultaneously. As illustrated, aradio 202 can send communications 206 to a second radio 204, but cannotsimultaneously receive communications 208 on the same frequency from thesecond radio 204. Likewise, a radio 210 can receive communications 216from a second radio 212, but cannot simultaneously send communications214 in the same frequency. A classic example of half-duplexcommunication is a pair of walki-talkies, where when a user presses thePush-To-Talk button, the user loses the ability to receivecommunications.

FIG. 2B illustrates full-duplex communications between two radios 218,220. In a full duplex system, a radio 218 can both send communicationsto 222 and receive communications 224 from a second radio 220 at thesame time, in the same frequency spectrum. Full-duplex systemstraditionally do not work because of the self-interference a singleradio receives while transmitting.

In order for full-duplex systems to work correctly, theSignal-to-Interference Ratio (SIR) between the desired signal and theself-interference should meet a threshold determined by digitalcancellation methods. FIG. 3 illustrates an example of full-duplexcommunication power levels 300 in a system configured according to thisdisclosure. As illustrated, an Access Point (AP) node 302 is sending andreceiving communications 306 with a station (STA) node 304, such as alaptop, smartphone, or other WiFi device. The lower portion of FIG. 3illustrates relative power levels for the signals including a noisefloor 320. The power level for the signal being transmitted from the APnode 302 is noted as P_(AP) 308, while the power level being transmittedfrom the STA node 304 is noted as P_(STA(1)) 310. The power levels seenby a receiving antenna at the AP node 302 are P_(AP) 308 and P_(STA(2))314. The power drop experienced between the initial transmissionP_(STA(1)) 310 of a signal from the STA node 310 and the reception ofthat signal P_(STA(2)) 314 at the AP node 302 results from natural powerattenuation, or pathloss L_(STA) 312, as the signal propagates throughair or other mediums. The SIR 322 in this example is sufficient for theAP Node 302 to determine the desired signal. In this case, P_(STA(2),)also identified as P_(STA(1))−L_(STA), represents the power level of thedesired signal that must be decoded successfully by the AP node 302.

One issue that can affect the successful decoding of a signal infull-duplex communication is the fact that the signal 306 transmittedfrom the AP node 302 is also received (denoted by the hashed signal 306Atransmitted from AP Node 302 but also returning to the node) by the APnode 302 receiving antenna as self-interference. For illustrationpurposes, the power level of the transmitted signal P_(AP) 308 isassumed to be the received power level of the self-interference signal.

In order for the AP node 302 to properly decode the desired signal fromthe STA node 304, the Signal-to-Interference Ratio (SIR) 322 should beabove a threshold value. The value of SIR 322 threshold required fordecoding can vary depending on digital cancellation techniques employed.However, the noise floor 320 and interfering signals can reduce the SIR322.

In the illustrated example, because P_(AP) 308 is above P_(STA(2)) 314,the SIR 322 would be negative and the AP node 302 would be unable todecode the desired signal P_(STA(2)) 314. In order for theself-interference to be reduced below the desired signal, the systemgenerates self-interference cancellation signal C 316. Thisself-interference cancellation signal C 316 is based on both thestrength and phase of the self-interference signal for detectedfrequencies. Upon the cancellation signal C 316 being applied to theself-interference signal having a power level of P_(AP) 308 using an RFAdder, the resulting power level is P_(AP-C) 318. This results in apositive SIR 322, and the system can now use digital cancellationtechniques to decode the desired signal having a power level ofP_(STA(2)) 314.

FIG. 4 illustrates a high-level example of a full-duplex embodiment 400according to this disclosure. As illustrated, both node A 402 and node B404 are capable of full-duplex communications. In other configurations,only one node in a pair of nodes may be full-duplex capable, whereas inyet other configurations there are many nodes which are full-duplexcapable. Node A 402 has a transmitting antenna 406 and a receivingantenna 410. Data is prepared for transmission at Node A 402 or prior toarriving at Node A 402 This preparation is illustrated as taking placein box 414, and can include multiplexing, upconversion, encryption,modulation, compression, and/or any other data preparation whethernecessary or not to transmit a signal. The prepared signal 418 is thensplit or copied into two separate paths. A first path 420 directs thesignal 418 to the transmitting antenna 406. The second path 422 routesthe signal 418 to a module 426 which produces a cancellation version 424of the prepared signal 418, which will be used to cancel out anyself-interference signal received. In one configuration, thecancellation signal 424 has the opposite voltage of the prepared signal418, while maintaining an identical phase. In another configuration, thecancellation signal 424 is 180° out of phase with the prepared signal,with a power level selected. Other configurations for combining acancelling signal with an interference signal, leaving a desired signal,are also within the scope of this disclosure.

As Node A 402 transmits the prepared signal 418 to Node B 404 from thetransmitting antenna 406 as the transmitted signal 408, the receivingantenna 410 also receives the transmitted signal 408A as aself-interference signal. The receiving antenna 410, in addition toreceiving the self-interference signal 408A, also receives acommunication 412 originating from Node B 404. Node A 402 thereforereceives the self-interference signal 408A from itself and a desiredsignal 412 from Node B 404. Because Node A is operating in full-duplex,these signals are combined into a single overlapping signal 428. Thisreceived combination signal 428 is then added to the previously producedcancellation signal 424 that has an opposite phase or voltage of thecombination signal 428. By adding, or otherwise combining 430, thecancellation signal 424 with the received signals 428, theself-interference signal 408 is mostly (though not completely) removed,producing a clean signal 432. The system processes the clean signal 432including digital processing within a data processing module 416 of NodeA 402. Other processing besides digital processing is contemplated aspart of this disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, certain configurations will prepare the data414 for RF transmission, then split the RF signal 418 along separatepaths 420, 422 for transmission and cancellation. However, otherconfigurations can split the cancellation and transmission signals atdifferent points in the data processing. For example, in certainconfigurations, the system produces the cancellation signal 422 aftersignal upconversion, with the signal in a broadband format. In otherconfigurations, the system produces the cancellation signal 422 prior toupconversion, prior to multiplexing, or prior to performing a Fouriertransform on the signal. Regardless of where the cancellation signal andtransmission signal split, the system requires feedback regarding thereceived self-interference and associated passive attenuation to createan accurate cancellation signal.

With this high level understanding of the cancellation process, and wenow discuss the specific cancellation techniques utilized within thisdisclosure using FIG. 5, which illustrates an example of a full-duplexdevice embodiment 502. This example full-duplex device embodiment 502,utilizes a combination of passive suppression, active analogcancellation, and digital cancellation. Other configuration orembodiments could have fewer or additional components while continuingto apply the disclosed full-duplex method.

As illustrated, the device receives or generates signal inputs 510, 512.Each set of signal inputs, {x_(i,1)[1]-x_(i,1)[k]} 510 and{x_(i,2)[1]-x_(i,2)[k]} 512 are sent to a respective transmit antenna T₁504 or T₂ 506. In this configuration, each set of signal inputsrepresents a channel, and the brackets [1]-[k] represent subcarrierswithin a respective channel. In other configurations a single channelcan be present, or additional channels can be present. When necessary,these signal inputs 510, 512 are subjected to IFFT (Inverse FourierTransform) 514, then converted from parallel signals into a serialsignal using a Parallel to Serial 516 component, such as a multiplexingcomponent. A cyclic prefix 518 is then added to the bitstream receivedfrom the parallel to serial component 516 and the signal is convertedfrom a digital bitstream into an analog signal at a Digital to AnalogConverter (DAC) 520. The resulting analog signal is a signal which isupconverted into a broadband signal and amplified by a Tx Radio 524,creating an RF signal 526 which is broadcast by the respective antennaT₁ 504 or T₂ 506.

The signal being transmitted from antenna T₁ 504 is represented as adashed line 554 and represents the electromagnetic transmission ofsignal inputs {x_(i,1)[1]-x_(i,1)[k]} 510. The transmitted signal 554from T1 504 undergoes a passive attenuation illustrated as h_(i,1) 522.Likewise, the signal being transmitted from antenna T2 is alsorepresented as a dashed line 556 and represents the electromagnetictransmission of signal inputs {x_(i,2)[1]-x_(i,2)[k]} 512. In addition,the transmitted signal 554 from T2 506 undergoes a passive attenuationillustrated as h_(i,2) 542. As the signals {x_(i,1)[1]-x_(i,1)[k]} 510and {x_(i,2)[1]−x_(i,2)[k]} 512 are transmitted as electromagneticsignals 554, 556 to another device, they are also received at areceiving antenna R₁ 508 on the illustrated device 502.

The passive attenuation h_(i,1) 522 and h_(i,2) 542 occurs whentransmitting a signal 554, 556 through any medium, and is also known aspassive suppression. This passive suppression h_(i,1) 522 and h_(i,2)542 varies with time and frequency. Increasing the passive suppressionis desirable to help increase the Signal-to-Noise ratio previouslydiscussed. The amount of passive suppression depends on the distancebetween antennas, the antenna directionality, and/or the antennaplacement on the full-duplex device 502. Any combination of theseparameters in addition to other parameters may be employed according tothis disclosure.

The exemplary full-duplex device 502 then performs active analogcancellation in the analog domain to remove any remainingself-interference signal received after the passive suppression h_(i,1)522 and h_(i,2) 542 of the transmitted signals 554, 556, prior to thereceived signal 534 passing through an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC)544. For an OFDM MIMO (Othogonal Frequency Division MultiplexingMulti-In Multi-Out) node i, the self-interference signal y_(i,1) 534received on subcarrier k after passive suppression h_(i,1) 522 andh_(i,2) 542 is calculated using the equation:y _(i,n) ^(PS)[k]=Σ_(m=1) ^(M) h _(i,m)[k]x _(i,m)[k]where m represents each channel transmitted and n represents thereceiving antenna which receives both the desired signal and theself-interference signals 554, 556. As illustrated, the device 502 has asingle receiving antenna R1 508, and therefore n=1 in this example. Inother configurations, with multiple receiving antennas, each receivingantenna could require a cancellation signal generated specific to theself-interference acquired at that respective receiving antenna.

The device 502 creates a cancelling signal z_(i,1)[k] 528 local to thedevice 502. The cancelling signal z_(i,1)[k] 528 is combined with theself-interference signal y_(i,1)[k] 534 after passive suppressionh_(i,1) 522 and h_(i,2) 542 using an RF Adder 536, with the purpose ofextracting a desired signal obscured by the self-interference signaly_(i,1) 534. An RF Adder can also be referred to as Power Combiner andPower Divider. The cancelling signal z_(i,1)[k] 528 is calculated usingthe equation:z _(i,n)[k]=−h _(i,n) ^(W)[k]Σ_(m=1) ^(M) b _(i,m)[k]x _(i,m)[k]where h_(i,n) ^(W)[k] denotes the magnitude and phase of passivesuppression of the cancellation signal at subcarrier k when passingthrough the wire connected to the RF adder 536. Further, b_(i,m)[k]denotes the cancellation coefficient per subcarrier for theself-interference received at antenna R₁ 508 from transmitting antenna mat subcarrier k. B_(i,m)[k] represents the coefficient needed to makethe cancellation signal z_(i,1)[k] as close as possible to theself-interference signal. The self-interference channel is usually notfrequency flat. The channel attenuation can vary significantly acrossfrequency and packet to packet. As a result, the best analogcancellation is achieved when the analog cancellation signal can beadjusted per subcarrier, as required due to the self interferencechannel frequency response.

The self-interference signal, after analog cancellation 538, istherefore equal to:y _(i,n) ^(AC)[k]=y _(i,n) ^(PS)[k]−z _(i,n)[k]

Which can be rewritten as:y _(i,n) ^(AC)[k]=Σ_(m=1) ^(M)(h _(i,n)[k]h _(i,m) ^(W)[k]b _(i,m)[k])x_(i,m)[k]

Because the self-interference of the received signal can only beestimated, perfect analog cancellation cannot occur. Instead thepractical equationb _(i,m)[k]={circumflex over (h)}_(i,m)[k]/{circumflex over (h)}_(i,m)^(W)[k]is used, where {circumflex over (h)}_(i,m)[k] and {circumflex over(h)}_(i,m) ^(W)[k] are estimates of h_(i,m)[k] (passive suppression) andh_(i,m) ^(W)[k] (passive suppression of the cancellation signal)respectively. The estimates of h_(i,m)[k] and h_(i,m) ^(W)[k] arecomputed based on pilot signals sent from each transmitter radio 524 onorthogonal time slots. Because h_(i,m) ^(W)[k] represents the passivesuppression of the cancellation signal, it is a static channel and canbe estimated at a lower frequency than passive suppression h_(i,m)[k] ofthe transmitted signals 554, 556. As current WiFi implementations sendpilots at the beginning of a packet, these pilots can be used forestimation of the self-interference channel y_(i,1)[k], and thereforeestimation of self-interference channels does not require modificationof the pilots in a packet.

The cancellation signal z_(i,1) 528 utilizes similar steps as theoriginal data sets 510, 512. After computing estimates, the computedcancellation signal undergoes IFFT 514, Parallel to Serial conversion516, has a cyclic prefix added 518, is converted to a broadband signalusing a DAC 520, and then converted to an RF signal using a Tx Radio524. After the analog cancellation has occurred using the RF adder 536,the resulting RF signal 538 represents the desired signal with someremaining self-interference, despite having removed muchself-interference via passive suppression and active analogcancellation. The resulting signal 538 then undergoes the reverseprocess to obtain the desired data. That is, the signal is received byan Rx Radio 540 and converted from RF to a baseband signal. The signalis then converted from analog to digital. The cyclic prefix is removed546, the signal is converted from serial to parallel 548, and a FastFourier Transform (FFT) 550 is performed to yield a set of data{yi,1[1]-yi,1[k]} 552. At any point after the conversion to digital 544from the baseband analog, the residual self-interference can be removedusing digital cancellation.

Active digital cancellation estimates y_(i,n) ^(AC)[k] and subtractsthis estimate from the received signal in the digital domain. Theestimate of y_(i,n) ^(AC)[k] is computed based on a second round ofpilots sent from each transmitter antenna and received while applyinganalog cancellation to each receiver antenna. Alternatively, theestimate of y_(i,n) ^(AC)[k] can be computed without extra pilots ifimplemented based on correlation between the transmitted and receivedself-interference payload signal.

Having disclosed some basic system components and concepts, thedisclosure now turns to the exemplary method embodiments shown in FIGS.6-7. For the sake of clarity, the methods are discussed in terms of anexemplary system 100 as shown in FIG. 1 configured to practice themethod. The system can include a processor and a computer readablemedium storing instructions which, when executed by the processor,perform the various steps of the method in any order. The steps outlinedherein are exemplary and can be implemented in any combination thereof,including combinations that exclude, add, or modify certain steps.

FIG. 6 illustrates a first exemplary method embodiment. In thisembodiment, the system 100 first determines the passive suppression,attenuation (602), or loss, of a transmitted signal when that signal isreceived as self-interference by the transmitting device. Thisdetermination of passive suppression can occur using estimates frompilot signals, calculations based on previously transmitted signals, acalculation based on the antenna positions and/or frequency, or anyother effective method for approximating the amount of passiveattenuation which will occur prior to receiving the self-interference.After determining the passive suppression of the interference signal(602), the system 100 generates a negative estimate of the interferingsignal (604). In one embodiment, the system can utilize a known powerlevel of a transmitted signal, subtract the amount of passivesuppression to yield an estimated level of self-interference, andgenerate a negative version of that estimate signal. The negativeestimate is then added to the interference signal (606) prior toconverting the received signal from analog to digital. At this point,some residual self-interference signal can still be present in thereceived signal, and the system 100 applies digital cancellation (608)to remove as much of the residual self-interference signal as possible.Digital cancellation methods can vary, and in some instances can dependon the Signal-to-Interference Ratio (SIR) required. For example, if, dueto passive suppression and active analog cancellation, it is determinedthat the SIR is already near a preferred value, the system 100 can optfor a form of digital cancellation requiring relatively less computingresources than when the SIR is not near the desired value.

FIG. 7 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment. The system 100 in thisembodiment receives, at a receiving antenna, a signal transmitted by atransmitting antenna, the receiving antenna and the transmitting antennacomprising two unique antennas on a single device, to yield aself-interference signal (702). In other configurations, the system 100can have multiple transmitting antennas, multiple receiving antennas, orboth multiple transmitting antennas and multiple receiving antennas. Themultiple transmitting antennas can be transmitting identical data sets,or unique data sets, from each antenna. Additionally, the multiplereceiving antenna embodiments can be configured to receive identicaldata or unique data in each receiving antenna. The locations of thereceiving antenna and the transmitting antenna can be determined basedon increasing the passive suppression of the transmitted signals. Thesystem then estimates the passive suppression of the self-interferencesignal (704). This estimate can be based on the specific frequencies ofthe transmitted signals, the antenna directionality, the orthogonalityof the antennas with respect to one another, and distances between theantennas. Should the self-interference vary based on specific subcarrieror frequency, the estimate can vary accordingly based on the subcarrieror frequency. In addition, specific properties of the transmittingmedium, and the physical properties of the system 100 can affect thepassive suppression estimated. The estimate can be determined usingsignals communicated through a hard wire communication, or signalscommunicated using an electromagnetic transmission from an antenna. Thesystem 100 then generates an analog cancellation signal based at leastin part on the passive suppression estimated (706) and applies theanalog cancellation signal to the self-interference signal, yielding aresidual self-interference signal (708). If variable self-interferenceis detected between subcarriers or frequencies, the analog cancellationsignal will be generated to reflect those variations, matchingself-interference with frequency or carrier-specific analog cancellationsignals. The system 100 then applies digital cancellation to theresidual self-interference signal (710). The amount of digitalcancellation can depend on the amount of processing power available, theneeded Signal-to-Interference Ratio, the amount of processing being usedto estimate the cancellation signal, and access to additional memoryresources.

Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure may also includetangible and/or non-transitory computer-readable storage media forcarrying or having computer-executable instructions or data structuresstored thereon. Such non-transitory computer-readable storage media canbe any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose orspecial purpose computer, including the functional design of any specialpurpose processor as discussed above. By way of example, and notlimitation, such non-transitory computer-readable media can include RAM,ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storageor other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be usedto carry or store desired program code means in the form ofcomputer-executable instructions, data structures, or processor chipdesign. When information is transferred or provided over a network oranother communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, orcombination thereof) to a computer, the computer properly views theconnection as a computer-readable medium. Thus, any such connection isproperly termed a computer-readable medium. Combinations of the aboveshould also be included within the scope of the computer-readable media.

Computer-executable instructions include, for example, instructions anddata which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer,or special purpose processing device to perform a certain function orgroup of functions. Computer-executable instructions also includeprogram modules that are executed by computers in stand-alone or networkenvironments. Generally, program modules include routines, programs,components, data structures, objects, and the functions inherent in thedesign of special-purpose processors, etc. that perform particular tasksor implement particular abstract data types. Computer-executableinstructions, associated data structures, and program modules representexamples of the program code means for executing steps of the methodsdisclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executableinstructions or associated data structures represents examples ofcorresponding acts for implementing the functions described in suchsteps.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that other embodiments of thedisclosure may be practiced in network computing environments with manytypes of computer system configurations, including personal computers,hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, and the like. Embodiments may also be practiced indistributed computing environments where tasks are performed by localand remote processing devices that are linked (either by hardwiredlinks, wireless links, or by a combination thereof) through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Additional features and advantages of the disclosure as set forth above,and in part will be obvious from the description, or can be learned bypractice of the herein disclosed principles. The features and advantagesof the disclosure can be realized and obtained by means of theinstruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims. These and other features of the disclosure will become morefully apparent from the following description and appended claims, orcan be learned by the practice of the principles set forth herein.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way ofillustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. For example, the principles herein apply equally to devicesand systems where a single device is full-duplex capable as to devicesand systems where multiple communicating devices are full-duplexcapable. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize variousmodifications and changes that may be made to the principles describedherein without following the example embodiments and applicationsillustrated and described herein, and without departing from the spiritand scope of the disclosure.

We claim:
 1. A method comprising: determining, via a processor, aresidual interference signal based on a combination of an interferencesignal and a passive suppression of the interference signal, the passivesuppression of the interference signal being calculated based oncharacteristics of a medium through which the interference signal passesand one or more of: previously transmitted signals, an antenna position,a signal frequency, or estimates from pilot signals; and applying, viathe processor, digital cancellation to the residual interference signalbased on the passive suppression of the interference signal.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the interference signal is received at areceiving antenna which is distinct from a transmitting antenna on asingle device.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the transmittingantenna comprises a plurality of transmitting antennas.
 4. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the receiving antenna comprises a plurality ofreceiving antennas.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the combination ofthe interference signal and the passive suppression of the interferencesignal is based on one of adding or subtracting the passive suppressionof the interference signal with the interference signal.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein the passive suppression of the interference signalis calculated based on one or more of: a subcarrier interference in theinterference signal or a previously estimated passive suppression. 7.The method of claim 6, wherein the subcarrier interference indicates avariable self-interference between subcarriers.
 8. A system comprising:a processor; and a computer-readable storage medium having instructionsstored which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor toperform operations, the operations comprising: determining a residualinterference signal based on a combination of an interference signal anda passive suppression of the interference signal, the passivesuppression of the interference signal being calculated based oncharacteristics of a medium through which the interference signal passesand one or more of: previously transmitted signals, an antenna position,a signal frequency, or estimates from pilot signals; and applyingdigital cancellation to the residual interference signal based at leastin part on the passive suppression.
 9. The system of claim 8, whereinthe interference signal is received at a receiving antenna which isdistinct from a transmitting antenna on a single device.
 10. The systemof claim 9, wherein the transmitting antenna comprises a plurality oftransmitting antennas.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the receivingantenna comprises a plurality of receiving antennas.
 12. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the combination of the interference signal and thepassive suppression of the interference signal is based on one of addingor subtracting the passive suppression of the interference signal withthe interference signal.
 13. The system of claim 8, wherein the passivesuppression of the interference signal is calculated based on one ormore of: a subcarrier interference in the interference signal or apreviously estimated passive suppression.
 14. The system of claim 13,wherein the subcarrier interference indicates a variableself-interference between subcarriers.
 15. A computer-readable storagedevice having instructions stored which, when executed by a computingdevice, cause the computing device to perform operations, the operationscomprising: determining a residual interference signal based on acombination of an interference signal and a passive suppression of theinterference signal, the passive suppression of the interference signalbeing calculated based on characteristics of a medium through which theinterference signal passes and one or more of: previously transmittedsignals, an antenna position, a signal frequency, or estimates frompilot signals; and applying digital cancellation to the residualinterference signal based on the passive suppression of the interferencesignal.
 16. The computer-readable storage device of claim 15, whereinthe interference signal is received at a receiving antenna which isdistinct from a transmitting antenna on a single device.
 17. Thecomputer-readable storage device of claim 16, wherein the transmittingantenna comprises a plurality of transmitting antennas.
 18. Thecomputer-readable storage device of claim 16, wherein the receivingantenna comprises a plurality of receiving antennas.
 19. Thecomputer-readable storage device of claim 15, wherein the combination ofthe interference signal and the passive suppression of the interferencesignal is based on one of adding or subtracting the passive suppressionof the interference signal with the interference signal.
 20. Thecomputer-readable storage device of claim 15, wherein the passivesuppression of the interference signal is calculated based on one ormore of: a subcarrier interference in the interference signal or apreviously estimated passive suppression.